Chicago —Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against a Chicago man for allegedly practicing dentistry without a license.

"Operating without a license is a very dangerous practice for medical personnel and squarely puts patients' health and safety at risk," Madigan said.

According to the Attorney General's lawsuit, Gerardo Gonzalez, who obtained his dental training in Mexico and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, has practiced unlicensed dentistry at several locations on Chicago's South Side in violation of the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Gonzalez also allegedly has advertised his unlicensed practice on Spanish-speaking radio programs and in Chicago area newspapers in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.

Attorney General Madigan's office is prosecuting the case on a referral from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). In the course of IDFPR's investigation, Gonzalez was observed on multiple occasions performing dental work in an office he equipped with a dental chair, an x-ray machine, dental equipment and supplies. In 2007, IDFPR issued Gonzalez a cease and desist order with a $10,000 civil penalty for providing dental services without a license, but Gonzalez failed to obey the order, allegedly continuing his practice.